Long before Barbenheimer took the box office and audiences by storm, another epic double feature dominated theaters all around the world and sparked an unforgettable pop culture phenomenon: the release of the comedy-horror hits Ghostbusters and Gremlins. Both of these fan-favorite films made their debuts on June 8, 1984. They forever changed the face of Hollywood, brilliantly blending two popular genres and utilizing bold special effects, while influencing a new batch of fun and thrilling movies.
Although Ghostbusters ultimately proved to be the more successful release (it grossed $370 million and was the second-highest-earning film of the year), Gremlins didn’t do too shabby itself. It raked in $212 million while equally delighting and terrifying fans with its deceptively cute creatures that should never ever be fed after midnight. Let’s take a look back at the two comedy horror films that became celebrated classics.
‘Ghostbusters’ Sparks an Epic Pop Culture Phenomenon
Few Hollywood franchises have had as profound an impact on pop culture or amassed such a devoted fan base as Ghostbusters. The star-studded supernatural comedy featured memorable performances from Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis. Following the spirit-hunting shenanigans of three eccentric parapsychologists (and later, a fourth member, Ernie Hudson) in New York City as they try to keep the community safe from all things paranormal, the classic film was written by lead stars Aykroyd and Ramis. The latter actor’s fascination with the supernatural inspired the film.
Professors-turned-ghost hunters Peter Venkman (Murray), Ray Stantz (Aykroyd), and Egon Spengler (Ramis) realize they may have bitten off more than they can chew when they discover a portal to another dimension lurking and waiting to spread evil within the city, one that can destroy all of humanity if they don’t find a way to stop it. When Ghostbusters made its debut on June 8, 1984, it became a worldwide phenomenon, topping the box office with $13.6 million and ultimately grossing a whopping $370 million during its theatrical run.
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Not only did Ghostbusters become one of the industry’s first official blockbusters to garner appreciation from both critics and fans, but it also effectively helped create a new genre that blended comedy, sci-fi, and horror, while establishing an entertaining new franchise. With its iconic characters, epic soundtrack/theme song, and electrifying special effects, Ghostbusters had a massive impact on Hollywood, inspiring a new wave of supernatural films and spawning numerous sequels and spin-offs. It is widely regarded as one of the most important comedy movies ever made and remains a cherished classic over 40 years later.
‘Gremlins’ Brilliantly Blends Horror and Humor
Another comedy horror juggernaut, released on the same day as Ghostbusters, was Gremlins. With its ferocious little monsters and adorable Gizmo, the film captivated audiences of all ages while delivering a wild blend of chaos and dark comedy as the creatures ran amok. Set on Christmas Eve in the fictional town of Kingston Falls, the film focuses on gadget salesman Randall Peltzer as he buys his son Billy a cute, furry creature called a mogwai for the holiday, only for the young man to inadvertently unleash a horde of mischievous monsters.
After failing to follow the three important rules concerning the mogwai (Don’t get him wet. Keep him out of bright light. And never feed him after midnight), Billy (Zach Galligan) and his girlfriend Kate (Phoebe Cates) must run around the town and attempt to stop the destructive, reptilian imp-like gremlins that were spawned after one of the golden rules was broken. When Gremlins made its way to theaters, it suffered some initial blowback from audiences because of its excessive violence, with some parents even walking out of the theater with their children.
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Despite the initial uproar, Gremlins performed exceptionally well at the box office, opening second behind Ghostbusters, and grossed $212.9 million against an $11 million budget, while launching a lucrative merchandising campaign centered around the character Gizmo. Dolls, stuffed animals, action figures, and games were created due to the massive success, as was a 1990 sequel. It also inspired other ’80s monster movies, such as Troll and Munchies. Like Ghostbusters, Gremlins was another example that demonstrated that horror and humor could coexist, and both remain beloved cinema staples that continue to find new fans to this day. Stream Ghostbusters on Philo and rent or buy Gremlins on Apple TV+.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
